Another New Circuit

[rodders47 2]

Well looks like Turkey is to build a new circuit for the 2005 F1 GP..

Wow with China , Bahrain etc it would appear that there MAY be up to 20 Races a year for F1 !!!!

Sure am Glad I am not an F1 mechanic lol.. Imagine living out of suitcases/hotels/pits for all that time !! would be I imagine very Hard Tiring work...

[nichosnz 0]

It sure would be very tiring.

[daz 0]

Certainly looks like they'll be clocking up a few extra "frequent traveller" miles than normal.

I'm actually all in favour of new tracks & destinations. The only disapponitment to me is that all these tracks they're being designed by the same idiot!!! Going to make for a lot of repetitive races I think.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Definitely I hope Tilke succeeds in making at least one track a good one, but doubt it. It will not be fun to see some of the current circuits go, as I fear tracks like Hungary and Imola will have to go, which is a shame as I like both tracks. And with the announcement of the Turkish GP, seems that Spa may have a tough road to get back to F1.

[nichosnz 0]

I am trying to convince myself that the FIA must allow Spa to return. Also we are likely to lose one of the German tracks, both recenty altered.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

I'd say the Nurburgring is more likely to get ousted, because the Hockenheimring is more conveniently located transportation-wise. But the FIA never seems too logical so you never know.

[nichosnz 0]

That is true , or even the FIA will can France, Italy, San Marino, Hungary, Great Britain etc and will leave us with only Turkey, Monaco, and 2 in Germany as being the only races in Europe.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Well F1 needs its European races as well. Not to say that there shouldn't be any races on other continents, but the reality is that in Europe it is easy to get to races, so if it's money they're after...

For example, the single race in Indianapolis doesn't allow the chance for everyone to get to the race as there are only a limited number of flights into the city and surrounding areas, and not many are willing to drive from say California.

[nichosnz 0]

I know all about the distance thing, having to fly to any and all races I would wish to go to!

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

They should have a Grand Prix of New Zealand, eh?

[nichosnz 0]

No doubt about that, at Manfield.

[rodders47 2]

hey folks,

dont add any more tracks, even thought N Z would be a good place. as I see it at the moment we are going to have about the same amount of tracks as RACE cars !!!!!

Jaguar/Cosworth cutting down on staff as no doubt all the other teams are and some of the OLD teams being no more seems to me time for the FIA to start applying rules to LESSEN this enormous cost involved and for a start the SIGNING on money each team needs to pay up front would surely help.

What's your opinion.?????

[nichosnz 0]

I am undecided on this matter Rod

Pro: The bond proves that a team can generate the sort of money required, this shows the FIA we are not likely to get a repeat of the Forti/Simtek/Pacific debarcles were the fans knew the teams were in trouble for their whole existances, not knowing if they were even going to show up from one race to the next.

Con: It DOES take away valuable money from a teams budget that could be used for development and running costs.

However, I do agree that costs should be reduced, but maybe at first they should look elsewhere. If they can reduce the cost to run a GP team, then the money required to prove a team is finacially stable is less.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

I think the test ban idea is the best, because it would provide the chance for other teams to catch up and would tremendously reduce costs for each team.

[nichosnz 0]

The teams are claimimg though that that didn't work, as they just diverted the (more) money to additional dyno, computer sim, and wind-tunnel testing.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Well, but it still must help quite a bit. I mean teams have employed a whole test squad, meaning it would lay off some people but would save the teams money.

[nichosnz 0]

But it is cheaper to run all those people than all that equipment, and the additional tech staff required for those extra hours. Not to mention the cost of the extra equipment itself.

[daz 0]

Gotta agree with nichosnz there. It is cheaper to pay salaries than pay for ridiculously expensive state of the art machinery.

Personally, I really don't think that theres a lot of ways that cost cutting can be implemented in F1 to be honest. The reason I say this is because whatever money would have being used in testing or designing a now banned or restricted item will simply be diverted to another area of the cars design. (e.g. If limited testing is implemented the teams will simply take the money they save there and put it into improving their engine or aerodynamics etc.. ). The engineers to me will always find ways to develop a car, and unfortunately that costs big $$$'s. Some teams have lots of it and some teams don't. But thats life I'm afraid and we'll have to accept it.

[nichosnz 0]

There is only one solution, to evening out the costs, and I don't like it at all... All F1 money (Broadcasting rights, Merchandising, Sponsorship...) goes into one fund then the teams are given an equal amount of the cash each.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Communism in F1? Couldn't work, as there will never be an F1 without a leading goverment (FIA).

[nichosnz 0]

I agree it wouldn't work but even if it could it would not be popular with teams, fans, sponsors, well anyone basically.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Not trying to get political or anything, but that is the exact reason why communism has never existed and probably never will.

Anyway, Hermann Tilke has released a statement that the area where the track is going to be built is excellent for the needs of a track, with good flat area for straights along with fantastic gradient changes for the rest of the track. Maybe he will succeed?

[nichosnz 0]

Maybe he will, all we can do it wait and hope for the best. And talk about it while we do.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

I hope I get to see a layout for that track soon, because maybe if we're fast enough we can flood www.tilke.com with emails to change that track layout before it gets built!!

[nichosnz 0]

Now there is a good idea!!